Implications of Jordan’s Principle for Canadian Allied Health Professionals and Their Indigenous Patients: The Importance of Informed Allies for Critical Knowledge Mobilization
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.55016/zr9yvc28Mots-clés :
Indigenous, First Nations, Jordan's Principle, Indigenous Health Services, CanadaRésumé
Jordan’s Principle is a Canadian public policy principle implemented to ensure that all First Nations children can receive access to the services and supports they need. When it comes to health services for Indigenous people, the provincial government delivers health care off-reserve, while the federal government funds it on-reserve. This has resulted in jurisdictional disputes leaving Indigenous children at a disadvantage to receive care. In the case of Jordan River Anderson, disputes between the provincial and federal governments regarding who would pay for his at-home care delayed his ability to leave the hospital and return to his community. Jordan died in the hospital when he was just five years old. Under Jordan’s Principle, regardless of who comes in first point of contact with the child, if there is no existing funding for the service then the funding is requested under Jordan’s Principle as long as it falls under the guidelines to ensure substantive equality. This paper highlights the importance of aligning allied health professionals and how they can assist in educating Indigenous families about Jordan’s Principle. Allied health professionals who are knowledgeable about Jordan’s Principle are invaluable in helping Indigenous families receive the health resources they need.
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